Rashes cause distinctive changes in the texture and/or color of skin, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Some rashes are bumpy, scaly flat, red or skin-colored. Certain rashes in babies and children may cause red blotches on the skin. While diaper rash is clearly the most common rash in infants, other rashes can have similar effects on the skin.
Considerations
Rashes are a symptom of a variety of medical conditions, reports MedlinePlus, a website from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. While some rashes appear out of the blue, others can form gradually over a period of days. Rashes are not usually serious unless they are accompanied with other symptoms.
Types
Diaper rash, as the name implies, affects the genitals, abdomen, buttocks and upper thighs. It's a rare baby who doesn't develop diaper rash at some point.
Erythema toxicum, or ET, is a harmless skin condition that develops in some 50 percent of all newborns, according to MedlinePlus. It isn't known what causes ET.
Roseola is a common viral infection that strikes most children by age 5, reports Healthy Children, a website from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Rubeola, or measles, is a highly contagious viral condition.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a persistent skin condition that usually affects children who inherit the condition.
Effects
Diaper rash causes red blotches, bumps and scaly patches on skin that's been pressed against a soiled diaper. Babies with diaper rash may be more irritable during diaper changes.
ET causes red blotches, along with tiny, white bumps in newborns under 2 weeks old. Roseola usually begins with a sudden high fever that persists for up to one week. When the fever subsides, a splotchy red rash often develops in the abdomen and spreads throughout the body.
Measles typically cause red, itchy raised bumps on the skin that eventually merge together. Measles rash is accompanied by muscle pain, fever and cough.
Eczema may cause redness, tiny bumps and itching on the skin of infants under 6 months of age. In order children, eczema may become scaly and strike areas such as the knees, elbows, ankles and wrists.
Treatment
The treatment for a rash in children depends on its cause. Diaper rash normally heals on its own by changing diapers often and applying zinc oxide ointment to the affected area.
ET rash usually disappears on its own in a few days. Treatment for roseola includes lukewarm sponge baths and pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce fever.
Measles must run their course since no special treatment exists for the condition, notes UMMC. Bed rest and acetaminophen can make your child more comfortable.
Over-the-counter anti-itch creams may help relieve symptoms of eczema. Covering the affected area with bandages and dressings can help prevent scratching. Lukewarm bath water sprinkled with oatmeal or baking soda may offer relief.
Prevention
Keeping skin well moisturized and identifying and avoiding irritating substances like soaps, jewelery or fabrics may help guard against eczema. Talk to your child's doctor about skin testing.
Vaccinations can prevent your child from developing measles, mumps and rubella. Frequent hand washing can help stop the spread of viral infections like roseola.
Exposing the genital area of the skin to air as often as possible may help prevent diaper rash.
Member Comments